A member of Monty Python who helped create the group's wacky and popular comedy style has died.
Terry Jones died after a long struggle with dementia. He was 77 years old.
While Jones was often featured in some of the group's movies (often playing a woman), he was mainly a writer and director letting Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman take most of the lead roles in their films, but served as co-director with Terry Gilliam on the group’s first feature-length film “The Holy Grail.”
Just four years ago Jones received a standing ovation as he received the BAFTA (British award) Special Award for Oustanding Contribution to Film and TV. He was introduced at the ceremony by fellow Python Michael Palin, and Jones’ son spoke on his behalf because he was physically unable to make the speech.
His acting career began when he started performing comedy with future Monty Python co-star Michael Palin while at Oxford University. Monty Python formed when the guys worked on the BBC show “The Frost Report” before making their TV debut as a group with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” a comedy sketch show which launched them to stardom.
Many Python fans may not be aware but Jones help[ed write the 20-15 film “Absolutely Anything,” starring Simon Pegg and the remaining members of Monty Python. Even though it received poor reviews, fans were delighted to see the Pythons reunited, and the film also featured the voice of Robin Williams in his final performance.
He is not the first Python to pass away. Graham Chapman died in 1989 of tonsil cancer on the eve of Monty Python's 20th anniversary.
Jones is survived by his wife Anna Soderstrom and their daughter Siri, as well as two children from his first wife, Sally and Bill Jones.
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